Team Preview: Tulsa Memorial (5A)
Tulsa Memorial coach Bobby Allison has a unique tradition in the Chargers’ locker room. “One thing we do every year is, we write down all the stats of the seniors before,” Allison said, “I think last year’s seniors had 941…
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Continue ReadingTulsa Memorial coach Bobby Allison has a unique tradition in the Chargers’ locker room.
“One thing we do every year is, we write down all the stats of the seniors before,” Allison said, “I think last year’s seniors had 941 points and 600 rebounds. . . and we tell the kids, ’those are gone, but now those are opportunities for you to go get those points, for you to go get those rebounds.’”
Graduating four college-bound seniors will certainly leave a vacuum for the Chargers, but if anybody is up for the task, it’s Allison, whose program was recently named the best in the state for the 2010s.
A pivotal piece in Tulsa Memorial’s rebuild is Tyreece Frierson Tyreece Frierson 5'10" | PG Tulsa Memorial | 2022 State OK , the Chargers’ leading returning scorer, who averaged 10 points-a-night as a sophomore.
“He’s one of only, probably, ten sophomores in the history of Memorial basketball to average double-digits his sophomore year,” Allison said.
Frierson is joined by Juwan Provitt, a senior guard, as the Chargers’ lone returning starters.
“Replacing those guys’ fourth-quarter toughness is going to be one of the biggest obstacles,” Allison said. “It’s just going to be on those guys coming back to find ways to win in the fourth quarter the way a lot of Memorial teams have the last couple of years.”
Provitt, along with post standout Dannon Lundy, will play important roles as senior leaders for the Chargers, Allison said.
“They’ve witnessed that team-first mentality it took to get there,” Allison said. “As long as they don’t break that chain of accountability. . . we think we can play with anybody we come across.”
“Those two guys,” Allison added, “have been real senior leaders, especially through the pandemic and all the uncertainty, they’ve been nothing but consistent.”
Starring in the paint with Lundy is James Green, a 6-foot-6-inch interior energy-pusher with great rebounding talents.
Allison nodded also to Seth Pratt Seth Pratt 6'3" | SG Memorial | 2023 State OK , a returning sophomore who led the state in 3-point percentage as a freshman.
“Pratt is one of the best sophomores in the state, I believe,” Allison said. “He works hard, he’s doing a great job, and is ready to take the next step in his game.”
Fellow sophomore Montae Collins is also set to help Frierson and Provitt on-the-ball, utilizing his quickness and vision to help the Chargers.
“Collins also got valuable minutes as a freshman off-the-bench,” Allison said. “He’s another guy that’s looking to play even a bigger role as a sophomore. . . he’s one of the best sophomore guards around in Tulsa.”
Ronnie Dixon, a fiery 6-foot-3-inch junior swing, will also see significant minutes for the Chargers.
“He’s another one to keep an eye on,” Allison said. “I feel like we can go nine-to-10 deep this year, and we’ll definitely need everybody this year.”
Allison mentioned a trio of junior transfers: guard Jakolby Record, along with forwards Bradyn Hubbard Bradyn Hubbard 6'6" Tulsa Memorial | 2022 OK and Killian Spellman Killian Spellman 6'3" | PF Memorial | 2022 State TX , will each play an important role for the Chargers after sitting out their state-sanctioned 365-day transfer-period.
“They waited their turn, played JV last year, had great attitudes, and just want to be a part of the Memorial basketball program,” Allison said. “They all three could be college basketball players and all three are going to make big headway for us this year.”
Allison said Spellman and Hubbard could be starting for the Chargers.
“They want to be a part of something special here at Memorial,” Allison said, “and they’re working hard, and a lot of people are going to know about them early in the season if they keep working.”
Allison said with a difficult schedule, the Chargers will learn quickly whether or not they belong.
“The ending of last year, was an ending like no other,” Allison said, “and to get to an ending this season, it’s going to be a season like no other.”
“We’re prepared for whatever comes our way,” Allison said, “and we know that no matter what, if we get to play, it’s a blessed compared to having to say ’what if?’”